K C Deo is Cong nominee for VP; NDA may back Jaswant

The Congress has almost made up its mind to nominate Vyricherla Kishore Chandra Suryanarayana Deo for the Vice President's post.

Deo is presently the minister for tribal affairs in the United Progressive Alliance.

The UPA leadership is seeking the support of Janata Dal-United and Shiv Sena for Deo.

If back-channel efforts succeed, there is an indication that his name would be formally announced this week, sources said.

The UPA reportedly does not want to approach the Trinamool Congress or Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party.

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A five-time Lok Sabha MP, Deo had a brief meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi recently.

Insiders indicate that Deo may be the unanimous choice of both Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Deo was in the past slated to occupy the post of Speaker of the Lok Sabha, but late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was vehemently opposed to his elevation. Therefore, he was inducted into the Union Cabinet.

Now the decks have been cleared to show his ability to preside over the Rajya Sabha.

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With two weeks still available with political parties to take a call on the vice-presidential nominee, there is speculation that the National Democratic Alliance may field Jaswant Singh.

Nomination forms for VP election  will be available from July 9. The last date for filing of nomination is July 20 and the polling is on August 7.

Vice Presidential Electoral College

The electoral college for the present election of the Vice President comprises: 

Rajya Sabha: Elected = 233; Nominated = 12 

Lok Sabha: Elected = 543; Nominated = 2 

TOTAL = 790

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